WEEKLY WRAP UP for Friday, Oct. 11, 2019
A message from your Chamber
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   Oh. My. Goodness. There are so many things going on in our lovely community over the next few weeks. So there is no sitting at home wishing for something to do. Here is a quick run down of THIS weekend and into next week. 
  • Good Life 5K & Fair  Saturday, Oct. 12, in Bull Branch Park. Adults wanting to run can show up at 7:30 a.m. to register for $35. Kids who want to run in the FREE KIDS K, can sign up here. But you don't even have to like running to have fun at this festival. The Fair begins at 9 and you can have fowl fun at the free poultry petting zoo or play chicken splat bingo for $2 a card at 9:30, 10:15, 10:45 & 11:15. Join in the music with Chubby Knuckle Choir at 9:40 and 10:15. And DO NOT MISS the Epic Confetti Egg Battle (also free) that begins at 11 a.m. and, usually, ends within 10 minutes. Many of the vendors will have games and family-oriented fun things to do. Money raised is being used to install an all-abilities percussion section in Murphy Park.
  • Daughters of the American Revolution will be refurbishing more of the historical markers in Heritage Square this weekend. You can stop by at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, to thank them for the important work they do. They do the work free of charge but will, happily, accept donations for their scholarship program from those wishing to demonstrate their gratitude.
  • Empty Bowl Project. Art Off Center and Shepherd's Heart Food Pantry are uniting to raise money to feed those who need help in our community. The event has already started with a Facebook auction (you can get in on that by clicking here) for some beautiful handmade bowls and donated items. That silent auction will end with a special event 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at Art Off Center, 116 W. 2nd St. #108 on Potters Alley. Then 11:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, help feed the hungry by feeding yourself some delicious soup in the McCrory Timmerman Gallery, 112, W. 2nd St.  Tickets for the meal are $15, available here.
  • Screwtoberfest 2-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Loose Screw, 410 W. 7th St. The Loose Screw continues to celebrate the season on Saturday with a special event to benefit Good Life Taylor.  Grab a cool German mug (they'll fill it with your favorite drink) for is $20 with proceeds going to help build that percussion park.   
  • Pints for Polio 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17 at Texas Beer Company, 201 N. Main. Raise a glass and help raise critically-needed funds to eradicate the crippling disease of polio. A $20 donation gets you an "End Polio Now" pint glass and a beer to go in it at the event. Taylor Rotary Club will also host a drawings with chances to win some fun items. 
    And, of course, there is the pumpkin patch at First United Methodist Church and spectacular music and fun to be had at our local halls and bars (you can find some of that information at the very end of this newsletter).
    Next weekend, there's even MORE going on (see the list of events at the bottom of this newsletter for details on the horseshoe tournament and fall festival. 
Flood control town hall
    So, it's not going to be as much fun as a chicken-themed race and festival or as heart-warming as a bowl of soup that benefits the hungry in our community, but there is an important town hall 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Taylor Public Library, 801 Vance St.
    State Rep. Dist. 52 James Talarico (D) and Proposition author Rep. Dist. 21 Dade Phelan (R) will explain the plan behind Proposition 8 on the  Nov. 5 election for changes to the Texas Constitution 
  If passed, the Texas Water Development Board would be authorized to use the fund for projects related to flood drainage, mitigation and control. 
   The public is encouraged to come learn about the plan and what it can do for Taylor.



It's time for  a scare on the square!
   Spooktacular returns to Heritage Square 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
    The City is currently seeking organizations, businesses or groups to host free trick-or-treat or Halloween game booths or vendor booths for $25. Click here to learn more about those opportunities.
     As part of that event, Friends of the Taylor Public Library will host a costume contest at 7 p.m. for children in various age groups and a contest for the best themed family group.
    Children and families are urged to register for the contest at the amphitheater 6-7 p.m.
     Judges are also needed for the contest. If you are willing to help, please email Friends of the Taylor Public Library President Tia Rae Stone at president@taylorchamber.org with Spooktacular Judge as the subject line.
    Click HERE to download a copy of the poster (pictured) to put up at your business or to share with family and friends.

Haunted Taylor
   Join guides from the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society on a nighttime stroll through the murderous and macabre, the frightening and fascinating, history of Taylor. 
   Tours are offered at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays Oct. 19 and Oct. 26 for $20 available here.
    Tickets usually sell out well before the tour dates so don't miss your opportunity to r evel in tales of Taylor's rough and tumble past and the stories behind many familiar buildings (and the structures that preceded them) in our historic downtown.
   Tours begin in the Louie Mueller Barbecue parking lot,  last up to 1.5 hours and are about 3/4 of a mile long. Please wear comfortable shoes. While there is no age requirement, please know that some rather gruesome material will be discussed during the tour that may not be appr
opriate for young children.





LEAD Taylor
     The City of Taylor is looking for citizens who want to learn more about their city for the 2020 LEAD Taylor Program. The program is a community-focused, collaborative program that provides participants an in-depth look at government operations, community planning and awareness, and the opportunity to learn about civic culture from the inside. The first class will be Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. For more information and application, visit  https://www.ci.taylor.tx.us/838/LEAD-Taylor . Applications are also available at City Hall, 400 Porter St.

LEAD. CONNECT. LEARN.
Chamber News & Calendar 


 
Ambassadors for the Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce awarded Ronnie Faul, with the City of Taylor Water Department, September's Customer Service of the Month award at a presentation Sept. 27. Faul was selected for "turning what could have been a nightmare" for a customer "into a rather enjoyable learning experience." The nomination letter lauded Faul for "going beyond" to help his customer understand why a water leak happened and how to fix it. Then, the writer said, he stayed to make sure the fix worked. Want to nominate someone for this award? Let us know your story at 512-352-6364 or info@taylorchamber.org.


 Chamber Calendar
  • Monday, Oct. 14, 5:15 p.m. --  Chamber board : Sirloin Stockade 
  • Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3 p.m.-- Ribbon Cutting Anniversary: Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos G. Parker NW  
  • Wednesday, Oct. 16, noon -- Programs & Services: Chamber, 1519 N. Main St.
  • Monday, Oct. 21, noon --  Luncheon: Pct. 4 Commissioner Russ Boles is our speaker at Sirloin Stockade
  • Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 a.m. -- Funding: Holiday Inn Express & Suites
  • Friday, Oct. 25, 11:30 am-- Ribbon Cutting:  2nd & Main Lofts, 100 E. 2nd St.
  • Friday, Oct. 25, 3 pm-- Ribbon Cutting: Phillips 76, 1702 N. Main
  • Wednesday, Oct. 30, noon--Ambassadors: Gatti's

Member News and Events
 
Washer & Horseshoe Tournament
     Toss some metal, win some prizes and help Taylor Lions support the Leader Dog program.
    The 21st annual Walter Gonzales Foundation Washer and Horseshoe Tournament will be Saturday, Oct. 19,  at the Taylor SPJST Hall, 5025 FM 619. Register under the tent from 8 to 10 a.m. It costs $20 per team and spectators are welcome. Food will be available.
     For tournament information, callthe Walter Gonzales Foundation:  J.J. Sanchez at 254-217-1993.  For Leader Dog / Lions Club information, call  Greg Teggeman at 512-925-9735.

 LifePark Center will host a family fall festival 10 a.m-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct.  19 at Heritage Square Park. The event will feature a bounce house, petting zoo, Zumba demonstration, farmers market and more. Learn more at  www.lifeparkcenter.com


Thanksgiving Celebration
   The Blackshear/O. L. Price Ex-Student Association will be hosting their 19th Annual Feast of Sharing 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Fannie Robinson Park Pavilion, located on the corner of Walnut and Dolan in Taylor. The community of Taylor is invited for this free meal with all the trimmings. For information call 512-296-6109.

Dr.James Lee Dickey Day
   The Dr. James L. Dickey Day Parade and Health Fair will be Nov. 16. The downtown parade will begin at 10 a.m. followed by the health fair at the  at the TISD Main Street Event Center 3101 N. Main. Click here to download an application for the parade and here to download an application for a free booth at the health fair. Contact Jennifer Harris at 512-296-6109 for more information. 


Entertainment calendar
    WilCo EXPO: Click here to look at what's going on out at the Expo Center.
    American Legion:  Click here  or here for upcoming events.
    SPJST Post 29:   October's schedule is here.
    Taylor Station Bar: Click here for upcoming events.
    Texas Beer Company: To keep up with everything going on at TBC, click here.
    Marshall's Tavern: Marshall's events are here.
    The Loose Screw: See their events here.


Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
1519 N. Main St.  Taylor TX 76574
512-352-6364          www.taylorchamber.org          president@taylorchamber.org